Ophids
Ophids1 are one of the sapient species that inhabit Borgalor, native to the region of Sessalló in northern Örkraz. Their civilizations were isolated from the rest of Örkraz and the outside world at large until relatively recently, and even today while a number of people come to visit Sessalló each year, ophids are still an uncommon sight outside their native countries. The only notable exceptions to this are certain places in Ójom in eastern Jælondis, and the city of New Falas in the Southlands.
They are excellent swimmers, move much faster underwater than on land and can hold their breath for quite a while.
Ophid senses differ from those of most borgaloreans in certain ways, such as picking up on scents and taste of their surroundings via the forked tongue, and while they don't have full colour vision, they are able to see both heat and magical energies, and none can track movements as well as they do.
The patterns on the scales are similar to those on our world's coral snakes, with slight variations between individuals in terms of hue, luster, size and shape of scales and such. Like snakes, ophids regularly shed their skin, with adults doing so annually and children more frequently, and are generally expected to do so in private. In most ophid cultures, only close friends and family members can visit during this process, during which a number of rituals may be observed, including ritual baths, meditation, fasting and finally the disposal of the old skin.
Ophids give live birth and their children aren't nearly as vulnerable as those of other borgaloreans, able to move around and eat on their own shortly after birth, though they still depend on the care of adults for the first few years to some extent.
Appearance and abilities
Ophids are warm-blooded2 reptiles related to Lindworms and -more distantly- Amphitheres, and resemble the former in being warm-blooded and mostly snake-like save for a strong pair of limbs behind the head, but use those like hands rather than to dig and aid locomotion. Like lindworms and cobras, ophids produce a hood behind their head when alert, though unlike the former it can be controlled to some extent and forms an important part of their body language, though the exact meaning varies from one place to another.They are excellent swimmers, move much faster underwater than on land and can hold their breath for quite a while.
Ophid senses differ from those of most borgaloreans in certain ways, such as picking up on scents and taste of their surroundings via the forked tongue, and while they don't have full colour vision, they are able to see both heat and magical energies, and none can track movements as well as they do.
The patterns on the scales are similar to those on our world's coral snakes, with slight variations between individuals in terms of hue, luster, size and shape of scales and such. Like snakes, ophids regularly shed their skin, with adults doing so annually and children more frequently, and are generally expected to do so in private. In most ophid cultures, only close friends and family members can visit during this process, during which a number of rituals may be observed, including ritual baths, meditation, fasting and finally the disposal of the old skin.
Ophids give live birth and their children aren't nearly as vulnerable as those of other borgaloreans, able to move around and eat on their own shortly after birth, though they still depend on the care of adults for the first few years to some extent.
Arcane abilities
Ophids can detect magic with great accuracy, whether it's from beings, objects, spells or general arcane energies in the environment, the latter which can cloud their vision in great enough quantities and temporarily blind them if suddenly exposed to it. As such, ophids are sometimes employed by mining companies to locate magic crystals in the rock.Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
The country of Ar in eastern Sessalló is currently the most powerful one ruled by ophids.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Ophid languages consist of over forty language families and isolates, most of which are only spoken within relatively small regions in Sessalló and can be quite difficult for outsiders to learn, both because they distinguish between sounds most have trouble with making and feature gestures that require both a hood and tail.
Common Taboos
While nudity is generally not an issue in traditional ophid societies, as they generally don't wear clothes aside from certain ceremonial rings, necklaces or headdresses, being out in public while shedding ones skin is frowned upon at best and a criminal offence at worst.
1Original icelandic: Naðrar, singular: Naður.
2Ophid body temperature is not quite as high as that of the other borgaloreans, meaning that they still prefer warmer climates.
Ophid police officer in New Falas by Lappalingur
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
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